Dreams of Liberty: a Marta & Fina (MAFIN) fanfic

The picnic

[Notes: Well MAFINers, it's been a while since I felt inspired to write because we have been experiencing "curves" as Belmonte says, and it's been hard to find inspiration. But, while we are all waiting for Marta & Fina's reconciliation, I imagined what picnic would've been like if Jaime hadn't ruined it all. Here are the stolen moments, kisses, and promises that Mafin would've shared in this one-shot. Enjoy! also thanks to twitter user silviasi22 for the photoshop.

Fina's POV:

Fina was putting the final touches on the spread of snacks and bocadillos she'd prepared, laying them out on the bench she'd chosen for the picnic with Marta. She looked at her watch, nervously. Where was she? Was she still coming?  Could Jaime have held her up yet again? She looked up the footpath looking for any sign of her lover, and found none. So, instead she fiddled with the basket at  in which she had packed all the refreshments for the day, and waited.

She looked out on the river. It was so quiet in this area. It was a little off the beaten path. She and her father used to come here when he was in better condition. She could tell how far away they were from the city center with the benches that marked the footpath. Each bench had the names of the benefactors or of important people in the city. This particular bench was engraved with a simple phrase, "To my wife who I sat with to watch all the sunsets." She remembered sitting with her father in this spot, and had given Marta directions to it- "walk through the path down the oak trees, turn right, and proceed to the 5th bench facing west." She hoped Marta would find it. Lost in her thoughts, she almost didn't hear the rustling of branches. She turned at the sound, and saw Marta walking gingerly down the dirt path in her black heels and coat she was wearing when she last saw her. Fina got up immediately and went to meet her, stretching out her hand. Marta grabbed hold of it, and made it down the pathway. Then they were facing each other.  Fina's huge grin matched the smile spreading across Marta's face.

"You came," Fina said, relief marking her tone.

"I did," Marta said, with a bit of regret in her expression. "I'm sorry I was so late. And, I won't have much time with you- as much as I want it- but I had to come, if only for a little while."

"It's ok, Marta. I know you probably had to move mountains to be here. But, I'm so happy you did. Come, sit." Fina pulled Marta around to the bench where she had the treats spread out. The look on Marta's face was priceless.

"I can't believe you did this," Marta said, smiling brightly, and looking at Fina with a mix of awe and appreciation. Fina felt proud of putting that smile on her lover's face.

"It's my pleasure. Now, what do you want to start with?"

Fina handed over the food, and peeled back the layers of her own sandwich as they sat in companionable silence, facing each other with  basket between them. Marta spoke only to remark on how good the food was, and what a nice touch Fina had in the kitchen.

"You're much better than me and my attempt at baking," Marta joked.

"I don't know what you're talking about- I loved what you made," Fina insisted.

"Bueno, maybe you are a little biased," Marta gave Fina that smile that she reserved only for her and their intimate moments.

"Maybe I am." Fina's voice had dipped to a lower register without intention. They both stared at each other as they sipped their beverages, looking at each other over the rims of their glasses. The look was charged. They had not been alone together since Illescas. It had been weeks, which felt like months, to Fina, and she wanted nothing more than to reach across the small space between them on the bench and hold Marta close to her, but she couldn't. Even this stolen moment felt like they were on borrowed time, and they still had to be careful in case anyone happened to stroll by. Yet, the air felt thick with tension.